Algeria’s state news service has said de-mining teams are going through the gas refinery that was the scene of a four-day hostage stand-off, searching for explosives left by the Islamic militants who seized dozens of foreigners.

Algeria’s four-day hostage stand-off came to a bloody end today when the country’s special forces stormed the remote desert gas plant and killed 11 militants, but not before they in turn executed seven hostages, Algerian state news agency APS reported.

Algerian security forces are trying to bring to an end a four-day stand-off with Islamist extremists holding foreign hostages at a remote gas plant, a drama that has left at least 12 dead and horrified governments around the world.

The Taoiseach has called for the immediate release of a married 36-year-old Antrim man being held captive by Islamic militants in Algeria, as news of a successful escape bid by some of the hostages begins to come through.

Troops from Nigeria are expected in Mali today nearly a week after French forces began a military operation to oust radical Islamists from power, according to an official with the West African regional bloc.